Tag: Chargers vs. Broncos

Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 6 opponent: Broncos

Here are some important things to know about the Broncos ahead of the Week 6 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers are on the road to face the Broncos on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 1:05 p.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 6 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

Last 3 out

The Broncos are on a three-game winning streak, defeating the Buccaneers, Jets, and Raiders. Denver is currently 3-2 and second in the AFC West.

Checking in on the rookie

The Broncos selected former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix in the first round of this year’s draft in hopes of him being the long-term answer at the position. After a slow start, Nix has gotten more comfortable at the pro level. He’s coming off his best performance against Las Vegas. Nix completed 19 of 27 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns while running for a score.

Bottom of the barrel offense

Even though Nix showed some promise in Week 5, Denver’s offense is still a work in progress. The Broncos are 28th in the league in total offense (270.6 yards per game), tied for 22nd in scoring (19.2 points per game), 28th in passing (163.8 YPG), 21st in rushing offense (106.8 YPG).

Dominant defense

Vance Joseph is known for engineering top-tier defenses, and it’s no different this year for the Broncos. Denver ranks second in points allowed (14.6 per game), third in total yards (271.2 per game), fifth in passing yards (159.8 per game), tenth in rushing yards (111.4 per game), third in sacks (19) and seventh in interceptions (five).

Look out for…

Zach Allen. Allen should present a tough challenge for the Chargers’ interior offensive line with how he’s been playing. He has 29 quarterback pressures, tied for the second-most in the NFL, trailing only Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson. He also has the second-most run stops among all interior defenders (10).

2023 Power Rankings Roundup, Week 18: Where Chargers stand after loss to Broncos

Here is what the national media thinks of the Chargers after their loss to the Broncos.

The Chargers are coming off a loss to the Broncos.

Here is what the national media thinks of the Bolts ahead of the final week of the regular season:

USA Today: 30 (Previous: 30)

“Given how little went right for this team, credit veteran OLB Khalil Mack. Not only did he surpass 100 career sacks, he managed a career-best 16 in 2023 to do it. A guy who might be a cap casualty in 2024 should have several suitors if so.”

Touchdown Wire: 28 (Previous: 27)

NFL: 27 (Previous: 27)

“It was interesting hearing the CBS broadcast crew continue to talk about the Chargers being a talented team, albeit one that has been ravaged by injury this season. That might be true, but even taking the injuries into account, I’ve started to question whether the Chargers actually are among the league’s more talented clubs. Especially considering the high-priced veterans who might not be back, along with a host of young players who have yet to fully realize their potential — or, as in the case of some offensive linemen, who have taken a step backward in their development. I still think that whoever ends up running this team will be taking on a relatively attractive job, with Justin Herbert and a few other pieces in place. But when one considers their salary-cap situation (projected to be almost $35 million in the red in 2024, per Over The Cap) and the veterans who might be lost this offseason, the roster might not be as stacked as some assume.”

CBS Sports: 30 (Previous: 30)

“So much for the interim coach boost. That lasted a week. Now it’s on to finding the right guy for the long term.”

Yahoo Sports: 27 (Previous: 27)

“The Chargers need the season to end. Sunday’s loss to the Broncos was an ugly one, especially on offense.”

The Athletic: 29 (Previous: 28)

The lesson: Coaching hires are a crap shoot

“This is not a new lesson. The Chargers are just the most recent team to highlight it. They hired Brandon Staley in 2021 because he was the hot defensive name. They fired him after 14 games this year because he was 5-9 and his defense stunk. The coaching change hasn’t changed the team’s luck. The Chargers have lost four straight and seven of their last eight heading into the season finale against the Chiefs.”

ESPN: 28 (Previous: 29)

Biggest offseason contract to watch: WR Keenan Allen

“There are many players to choose from, including Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and Mike Williams, who all will have cap hits upward of $30 million next season. But Allen is linked to the Chargers in a way those other players aren’t. Drafted in the third round in 2013, Allen is the longest-tenured Charger, having been part of the team from Philip Rivers in San Diego to Justin Herbert in L.A. and for everything in between. But Allen is 31 and has a cap hit of $34.7 million next season. With a new regime, Allen could be playing elsewhere in 2024.”

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 17 loss to Broncos

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the loss to the Broncos.

In Week 17, the Chargers came up short against the Broncos 16-9.

Outcome aside, there were some standout performers and others that were duds.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 35% of the snaps on offense (65) or defense (69).

Top 5 Offense

WR Alex Erickson – 77.2

OT Trey Pipkins – 70.7

TE Stone Smartt – 70.4

OL Jordan McFadden – 69.5

QB Easton Stick – 66.7

Top 5 Defense

S Derwin James – 88.4

LB Eric Kendricks – 85.4

S Alohi Gilman – 74.9

LB Nick Niemann – 71.1

EDGE Khalil Mack – 71.0

Bottom 5 Offense

TE Gerald Everett – 59.8

OL Jamaree Salyer – 56.7

OL Brenden Jaimes – 54.1

WR Keelan Doss – 52.8

RB Austin Ekeler – 52.8

Bottom 5 Defense

CB Michael Davis – 50.2

EDGE Justin Hollins – 48.2

DT Austin Johnson – 44.4

DT Otito Ogbonnia – 34.9

DT Scott Matlock – 32.5

4 takeaways from Chargers’ 16-9 loss to Broncos

Highlighting everything notable from the Chargers’ loss to the Broncos.

The Chargers kept pace with the Giants and Titans in the race for the fifth overall pick on Sunday.

Here’s what to take away from the performance on the field.

Chargers veteran Khalil Mack reaches 100-sack milestone

Khalil Mack becomes the 43rd player in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks.

The Chargers are primarily playing for pride, but Khalil Mack has been playing for career milestones.

On Sunday, he hit a major one. After a holding penalty put the Broncos in a 3rd and 20 situation, Jarrett Stidham dropped back to scan the field. Mack bull rushed guard Ben Powers, driving the Bronco into Stidham, who fell to the turf. Despite Mack not directly touching Stidham, the sack was credited to him as the closest player to the quarterback.

Mack becomes the 43rd player in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks.

Will the Chargers-Broncos matchup be on in your area?

Find out if you will get the matchup between the Chargers and Broncos on national television.

The Los Angeles Chargers (5-10) are set to get Week 17 underway against the Denver Broncos (7-8).

Those in the blue area on the TV map will get the game on CBS, courtesy of 506 Sports.

If you’re in the red area, you will get the matchup between the Bengals and Chiefs.

Tom McCarthy, James Lofton and Jay Feely will have the call.

Los Angeles is currently a 3.5-point underdog to Denver. Sunday’s matchup will begin at 1:25 p.m. PT.

4 matchups to watch in Chargers vs. Broncos

Here are a few matchups to keep an eye on in the game.

The Chargers’ extended audition for 2024 continues on Sunday with a matchup against the Broncos, a team that has only recently entered the “looking ahead to next year” tier.

Here are a few matchups to keep an eye on in the game.

4 things to watch in Chargers’ matchup vs. Broncos

Here are a few things to watch for in the contest between the Chargers and Broncos.

The Chargers come one step closer to finishing their season on Sunday, matching up with a Broncos team who just benched their starting quarterback.

Here are a few things to watch for in the contest.

Chargers Week 17 injury report: Michael Davis, Kenneth Murray did not practice Thursday

Michael Davis and Kenneth Murray were non participants.

The Chargers had their second practice in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Broncos on Thursday.

For a second consecutive day, wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Joshua Palmer (concussion) did not practice.

Cornerback Michael Davis (non-injury related/personal) was added to the injury report. He did not practice.

After being limited on Wednesday, linebacker Kenneth Murray was downgraded to a non-participant with a shoulder injury.

Edge defender Joey Bosa (foot), cornerback Deane Leonard (heel), offensive tackle Trey Pipkins (wrist) and tight end Nick Vannett (back) were limited for a second straight day.

Defensive tackle Nick Williams (shoulder) was upgraded from non-participant to a limited participant.

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Broncos?

Find out who the experts are picking between the Chargers and Broncos.

The Chargers are 3.5-point underdogs to the Broncos in Week 17 of the 2023 regular season. The over/under is 36.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 36.5 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 20-17 win for the Broncos, with a combined total of 37 points. So if I were putting money behind my prediction, I’d bet the over.

As for game picks, analysts are picking Denver to win.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Broncos
Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Broncos
Mike Clay (ESPN) Broncos
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Broncos
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Broncos
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Broncos
NFL.com Staff Broncos (4 to 1)
Bleacher Report Broncos

Sunday’s game will begin at 1:25 p.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.